Mexico

Today was the first day of training at the International Sailing Academy in La Cruz, Mexico! It happened that they had an extra spot open for me to come down for this clinic and with the attendees scheduled to come I could not pass up the chance. Today I went out sailing with James Espey(the top Irish sailor), Nick Thomson(ranked second in the world from Great Britian) and also from Great Britain, Paul Goodison the top ranked Laser sailor in the world who won the olympics in 2008! There are more good Americans coming later in the week to train as well. I am very excited for the next 9 days of training with these guys, I plan to take as much knowledge and sailing skills from them I can in this short period. Lets get er done eh!

Miami OCR

One day before Miami OCR begins! I have been in Miami for the past three weeks training in order to prepare for what is sure to be the toughest regatta I have experienced in my 7 year sailing career. Competitors from all over the world have been filing in to start their training, which has been great for me since I have been able to practice with them. I feel I am in good physical and mental condition and I am getting comfortable with the full rig now. I am excited to see where I stand in a true international regatta, I think it will be eye opening and I am hoping to learn from this experience so I can further improve my knowledge, skill, and experience!

Miami Pre- OCR

Today was the end of the US Sailing training camp that started Monday. It has been a good week of training with the team. I am in Miami, FL where Miami OCR regatta will be held at the end of the month. This regatta is the largest and most difficult regatta held in the US because of the level of competition that travels here for the regatta. Some of the best sailors in the world are already on site and in training mode. I will have the opportunity to train with some of them in the coming weeks and also fellow team mates that are living in the area. I am excited for the next week of sailing and gym training that I have ahead of me!

I am putting my all into OCR and I can not wait to see what I am capable of!

Miami- Training Camp

The first training camp of the winter season finishes tomorrow, with what we all hope to be a little breeze. Biscayne Bay seems to be in its normal pattern of minimal breeze over the past two days there has been a shortage to say the least. Today however, we made the best of our onshore-no breeze time by splitting up into groups and discussing different topics of a race and then presenting what we had come up with at the end of about 20 minutes. After we did some on the water training with slow speed races, and some high paced tacking duels, which made for a good session.
As well as sailing, I am also working on being able to continue my training over the winter. I am looking for people who might be able to house me in the Miami and Clearwater area, as well as people who would like the opportunity to donate to a non-profit organization and support my 2016 Olympic campaign at the same time. Much to do and so little time, shout out if that is the story of your own life! One that we should all be thankful to be living!

2011 US Sailing Developmental Team

Another goal has been accomplished as of recently. I am now officially a member of the 2011 US Sailing Developmental Team. This means that I have access to world class coaching, support at larger events, access to a nutritionist, the team trainer, and guidance from the team coaches. This is a very good step in the direction of sailing in the 2016 Olympics Games. Check it out @ http://sailingteams.ussailing.org/Teams/2011USSDT.htm

Fall Season

The leaves are off the trees, the temperatures are falling into the twenties at night, the water is starting to get chilly and the sailing continues in Michigan. I have officially broken out my dry suit for sailing now, which I am glad to have. My off the water training has been a big focus lately, being that sailing a Laser takes a high level of conditioning and strength. Lifting weights has been happening four to five days a week, with the idea behind this being to gain weight, strengthen my legs, and increase power. Along with lifting I also do yoga, stretching and body weight exercises that focus on increased fluidity in the boat or hitting certain muscle groups like abs or hip flexers. Running or biking has been happening five to six days a week, with the idea of increasing cardio and leg strength. All this with the exception of, if I go sailing that is the only thing I do for the day because of time constraints with school work.

The first fall clinic which is my next event with the US Sailing Team will be over Thanksgiving Weekend.

District 18 Champs

My sailing adventure for this past weekend was to drive to Vermillion, OH to sail in the District 18 Championship on Lake Erie. I arrived friday night and stayed with the Shockey brothers who happened to be hosting the event. Saturday morning we awoke to the sound of rain drumming on the windows, and a forecast for a cold and windy day. Of course this was not going to stop the show from going on, so around noon the first race was started with the breeze coming from the North Westerly direction at around 14 to 15 knots. This breeze held for the first three races until a significant left shift came through and the breeze died off a bit. My scores were 1,3,1,4 consistent enough to be tied for the lead at the end of the day. The next morning was similar to the day before just amplified. More rain, more wind, and about 10 degrees colder! After looking at the harbor entrance, the wind direction, the 25+ wind velocity, and the 8 to 12 foot + wave height the RC would not let us sail in these epic conditions. After much persuasion from the locals I reluctantly decided not to go out on what I thought was sure to be an awesome sail, and so that was that. I packed up my boat, getting the best of the tie breaker I gathered my winning trophy, thanked everyone for a great time, said bye to my friends and headed home.